Letters to the editor: Healthy living, socialism, Risch
Healthy living
Recently I have noticed more people wearing masks in public to protect themselves from catching or possibly spreading COVID-19. I recently watched a man wearing such a mask stop at a stop sign, pull his mask down, take a drag on his cigarette, and then replace his mask. As our nation attempts to “shelter in place” to avoid the dreaded Corona Virus, we have sadly learned that the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and pornography are sharply on the rise. People are eating more, exercising less, and watching more TV and streaming movies than ever. As an Emmett physician, I care deeply for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of my patients and our community. Daily exercise and a good night’s sleep are both proven to increase the immune system and the body’s natural ability to fight disease and sickness, including COVID19. Inside one’s home, outside as individuals, or in small family groups, I recommend a daily dose of physical activity and a good night’s sleep.
Be well Idaho, and choose your activities wisely.
Dr. Brett T. Mumford, Valor Health, Emmett
Socialism
Intentionally or not, President Trump and the coronavirus are educating Americans what it is like to live under Socialism.
Some bureaucrat tells us which stores we can shop in, what we can buy, how many items and what we can wear. And we get to stand in line to find empty shelves - like Soviet Russia.
Another recreational bureaucrat then tells us how to exercise. Hiking on a three foot wide trail is wonderful, golf - absolutely not! Even walking on a course is banned! That is only for the privileged! - like Soviet Russia.
This is what Socialism looks like. Someone, but with vastly less intelligence than you, makes the rules for you to live by.
We are in a pandemic and this experiment may be essential for another couple of weeks. Then, let us return to the Capitalistic model. This experiment educated us that Socialism may not be that wonderful.
The next time we get the privilege to vote, remember these days. I question if even the most “enlightened” would want this experiment to be permanent. If so, AOC, Bernie or Biden are waiting for your support.
So goes President Trump’s education on Socialism.
Allen Panasuk, Eagle
Sen. Risch
I feel like I can call Senator Risch “Jim” because calling him “Senator” implies that he represents his constituency’s needs. Calling him “Mr. Chairman” implies that his efforts on the foreign relations committee are efforts to respect and keep good relations with our allies, and all other countries and NGOs.
I read this morning that Jim has called for an investigation into the World Health Organization as an “anti-American puppet for the Chinese communist party” I was appalled, disappointed, and mostly disgusted.
His rhetoric is indigestible.
In a time where Jim’s constituents are facing spiking unemployment, a shortage of essentials, and no end in sight to this pandemic, he is spending time building red herring cases instead of addressing the needs of the state.
Maybe he should spend some time working with members of Congress who are interested in getting us back on track and out of this economic free fall instead of pushing his stupid, make-believe, isolationist, agenda.
For the love of God, I urge Mr. Risch to do his job in a way that reflects the needs of the state of Idaho and don’t pander to a crybaby, failure of a president.
Ian Anderson, Boise